FORMER UFC FEATHERWEIGHT champion Jose Aldo has been named in the latest Forbes 30 Under 30 list for sport.
The list features 30 of the most influential people under 30 years of age from the world of sport for 2016, including athletes, executives and journalists.
Aldo was among the final names calculated by a panel of judges that included New York Knicks player Carmelo Anthony, Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and Boston Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs.
That’s in spite of his defeat to Irish fighter Conor McGregor last month. Aldo relinquished his belt to McGregor following a 13-second KO loss at UFC 194 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Former UFC champions Jon Jones and Ronda Rousey have featured in the Forbes list in recent years, but Aldo is the only MMA fighter to be included for 2016. Prior to his defeat to McGregor, the 29-year-old had been the only UFC featherweight champion in history, having been undefeated in the cage for over 10 years.
“Even with his UFC 194 loss, Aldo would still make any comprehensive list of great UFC fighters,” Forbes wrote about the Brazilian. “He was the defending featherweight UFC champion and was ranked No. 1 in official UFC pound-for-pound rankings. He also went a decade without losing a match since 2005 and reigned as a world champion for 6 years.”
Aldo is joined on the list by the likes of NBA star Steph Curry, NFL quarter-back Russell Wilson, Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero and golfer Jordan Spieth.
He seemed pretty chuffed with the honour too. Aldo said, via Instagram: “I’ve never even thought of being in a Forbes list. This is why I’m so grateful and humbled for being selected as one of the most important people in the world under the age of 30.
“Being the only Brazilian on the list and to share this honour with other top notch athletes, like Steph Curry and Russell Wilson, feels amazing. I’m so glad that my career and my life story has inspired people not only in Brazil but in the whole world. I thank you for the support and I’m sure this is a good omen, because 2016 will be a year of glory and happiness. Let’s go!”
2016 Forbes 30 Under 30: Sports
Stephen Curry, Basketball
Sergio Aguero, Football
Jose Aldo, MMA
Christine Baugh, Harvard Ph.D candidate
Jamie Benn, Ice Hockey
Antonio Brown, American Football
Madison Bumgarner, Baseball
Mark Burns, CSE talent marketing executive
Adrian Clark, AC Sports Management owner
Borna Coric, Tennis
Mo’ne Davis, Baseball
Jacob deGrom, Baseball
Vicente Fernandes, Sportsmanias co-founder
Brian Heimerdinger, New York Jets director of scouting
Noel Hollingsworth, Second Spectrum director of data
Josh Kahn, Chicago Bulls senior creative producer
Allie LaForce, CBS Sports reporter
Katie Ledecky, Swimming,
Damien Lillard, Basketball
Stephen Nelson, Bleacher Report host
Cam Newton, American Football
Jasmine Ng, Sports Agent Adviser, Next Level Combines
Whitney Ping, US Olympic Committee director
Tyler Seguin, Ice Hockey
Ryan Sheckler, Skateboarding
Ashima Shiraishi, Rock Climbing
Jordan Spieth, Golf
Eric Waller, SeatGeek co-founder
Russell Westbrook, Basketball
Russell Wilson, American Football
